Should Asbestos Surveys Be Renewed Every Three Years In Devon?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in the construction industry in the UK during the 1950s to the 1980s. It was used in many buildings for insulation, fireproofing, and soundproofing purposes. However, it has been proven that exposure to asbestos can lead to severe health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory diseases.

Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, the UK government regulated asbestos in the 1980s under the Control of Asbestos Regulations. One of the requirements of the regulations is that all non-domestic buildings constructed before 2000 must have an asbestos survey conducted. The survey is to identify any asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) present in the property and to provide a report on the location, condition, and risk of the ACMs.

Here in Devon, Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a certified asbestos survey company that follows the regulations and requirements set forth by the Control of Asbestos Regulations. As a professional asbestos survey company, we have received many inquiries from our clients who are unsure about whether they need to renew their asbestos surveys every three years. This landing page aims to discuss the reasons why asbestos surveys should be renewed every three years in Devon.

Asbestos Survey

An asbestos survey is a vital tool for property owners or managers to identify and evaluate asbestos-containing materials present in their building. The survey should be conducted by a licensed asbestos survey company like Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon. The survey report should provide property owners with valuable information to help them manage any identified asbestos-containing materials safely.

There are two types of asbestos surveys: Management survey and Refurbishment/Demolition (R&D) Survey.

Management Survey

A management survey is often used to identify asbestos-containing materials in a building. The survey is conducted while the building is occupied, and it aims to locate any ACMs that may be disturbed during normal occupancy or maintenance. The survey report should provide advice on the location, condition, and management of the asbestos-containing materials.

Refurbishment/Demolition Survey

An R&D survey is required before any building or demolition work. The survey aims to identify all asbestos-containing materials in the proposed demolition or refurbishment area. The survey report is more comprehensive than a management survey report and includes details of the asbestos type, quantity, and condition. It also includes recommendations on how to safely remove and dispose of the asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos Register

The asbestos survey report should be updated whenever there is a significant change in the building, such as renovations, refurbishments or demolition work. An updated report should be kept on file and be readily available to anyone who may need it. The report forms the asbestos register that holds all information about the asbestos-containing materials in the building.

The asbestos register should be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is up to date. It should include the location, condition, and risk of each ACM present in the property, along with details of any action taken to manage the risks. The register should be made available to anyone who may come into contact with the asbestos-containing materials, including contractors, employees, and visitors.

Reinspection Surveys

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 introduced the requirement for reinspection surveys. The regulations require that an asbestos survey must be renewed every three years to ensure that the asbestos register remains up to date. The reinspection survey is necessary to ensure that any new or potential ACMs are identified and added to the register.

The reinspection survey is a more straightforward survey than the initial survey. It focuses mainly on the material that was identified in the original survey and the management plan. The survey report should provide updated information on the location, condition, and risk of the identified ACMs, along with any new identified ACMs.

The purpose of the reinspection survey is to ensure that the asbestos register remains up to date, and any new ACMs that are identified are managed appropriately, reducing the risk of exposure to asbestos.

Why Reinspection Surveys are Necessary

Reinspection surveys are essential to identify any changes in the asbestos-containing materials in the building. Asbestos is a hazardous material, and its presence in a building is a significant health risk. The risk of exposure to asbestos increases as the materials age, or they become damaged from wear, tear, or construction or renovation work.

The asbestos-containing materials are not hazardous in themselves, but when they become damaged or are disturbed, the fibres release into the air, and anyone near or around these airborne fibres is at risk of exposure. The asbestos fibres can pose a significant health risk, and it is crucial to reduce the risk of exposure by safely managing the ACMs in the building.

The Need for Original Survey

The initial asbestos survey provides property owners and managers with valuable information on the location, condition, and risk of the ACMs in the building. It is essential to have an initial survey conducted by a professional asbestos survey company like Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon. It provides a baseline for future surveys and helps to manage the asbestos-containing materials in the building safely.

The information provided in the initial survey report is used to develop a management plan that outlines how the ACMs should be managed safely. The plan specifies how to manage the asbestos-containing materials to reduce the risk of exposure to asbestos. It also identifies the priority of any remedial works that need to be carried out.

Asbestos Inspection

An asbestos inspection is a process of visually inspecting an area where ACMs are suspected or known to exist. It is not a survey, and it does not provide the same level of detail as a survey report. The inspection is often used to check the condition of a known or suspected ACM. The inspection provides information on the condition of the ACM and whether it requires further investigation or remedial action.

Inspections are no substitute for an asbestos survey, and they should not be used as a replacement for a survey. Inspections do not provide a detailed inventory of the ACMs present in a building. They are not a substitute for compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations.

Risk of ACMs

The risk of ACMs can vary depending on the type of material, its location, condition, and how it is being used. The management plan should be tailored to the specific needs of the property and be based on the outcomes of the asbestos survey report.

A management plan that is correctly implemented and reviewed regularly can reduce the risk of exposure to asbestos. The plan should include details of how the ACMs will be managed safely, how employees and contractors will be protected, and how the ACMs will be disposed of safely.

Conclusion

Asbestos surveys are necessary for any building constructed before 2000 to identify any asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos is hazardous, and exposure to asbestos fibres can be fatal. The surveys provide valuable information on how to manage the ACMs safely in the building.

Asbestos surveys require renewal every three years to ensure that asbestos register remains up to date. The Control of Asbestos Regulations requires that a reinspection survey is to be conducted to identify any changes in the asbestos-containing materials in the building.

Affordable Asbestos Removal Devon is a professional asbestos survey company that follows the regulations set forth by the Control of Asbestos Regulations. Our team of professionals has years of experience in identifying and managing asbestos-containing materials.

If you require an asbestos survey or a reinspection survey, or you have any inquiries regarding asbestos-containing materials, call us on 01962 458066 or email us at [email protected]. Visit our website, affordable-asbestos-removal-devon.co.uk, for more information.